I borrowed this on a whim because I wanted to learn how to write a poem properly. In hindsight that was a stupid thought, I know that now. There is lot to learn about good poem writing, all the guides in the world can not help you. Practice is the only key to writing a good poem.

That said, this book is useful in many ways, first of all it had simple exercises to get me started. Then it had me learning about other types of short poems, from games to just a short poem for thought. Everything can be made into a poem, but not every poem is worth reading, definitely not mine.

Why do I want to write poem? If I want to call myself a writer, I do have to write, and poems are rhythmic, entertaining and a great way to learn prose and make things read smoothly. So far my attempts are so bad I wonder if I will ever be good at word crafting.

Do you agree with what I say, that poems are great tools to help with writing?

In order to restore peace after the Dawn of Dae, the United States has declared martial law. Enforcing the militant regime won’t be easy, and a new policing force of dae and their bonded humans has been mustered to keep the populace under tight control.

Alexa wants nothing to do with the government, its army, or the special forces meant to keep rebellion at bay, but she has a choice: do what Kenneth Smith wants or die a quick death. As one of the unawakened, she has no chance of infiltrating the police on her own. Forced to partner with Kenneth’s dae, who dislikes her almost as much as she dislikes it, her life hinges on how well she convinces others she’s a big, bad monster just like them instead of an ordinary human woman.

Working for the police is no easier than dealing with Kenneth’s work. During the day, she’s a part of the law, but at night, she’s a tool of crime and war. It’s only a matter of time before she’s caught–or fails her mission and is killed by her drug-dealing boss.

If she wants to live a free life, she’ll need to take care of Kenneth once and for all. Since he won’t listen to reason and let her go, she’s determined to buy her freedom with his death.

Unfortunately, Kenneth isn’t the only problem in her life, and unless she does something about Rob, she’ll lose the independence she fought so hard for. Worse, unless she’s careful, he’ll make her like it…

Trillian Anderson is, like so many of us, a figment of someone’s imagination. She was born somewhere in the United States, loves to travel, and has no scruples about moving to new and interesting places around the world. She loves fantasy fiction of all types, but holds a special fondness for urban fantasies, epic fantasies, and stories capable of capturing her imagine.

Most of all, she enjoys grabbing a flashlight, hiding under the blankets, and pretending she’s asleep when she’s, in actuality, reading a beloved book.

My Review:

I am so happy when I got selected for Dae Portals 2: UnAwakened, finally I get to read more about Alexa and her mac and cheese, Colby. Yeah this book is so creatively written and entertaining for a lot of reasons, main one being the myriad of characters that do no behave according to … any rule book.

If you have not read the first book, then UnAwakened would not make much sense, you should read Dawn of Dae first, because the characters and events are from that book. This is continuation of the series. Some questions attempt to answer themselves while Alexa tries to put her complicated, dangerous life back in order.

Pretty soon, the stakes are raised to difficulty level hard, Alexa knows what she has to do to gain her freedom, but is it worth it? Or would she be fighting a losing battle with the Dae?

This is a fast paced, dizzying heights of action for Dae Portals 2, I cannot wait for the next one.

You better believe this, I have finally owned a 100% natural, not- tested- on- animal, sustainable bottle of hand sanitiser that works! Come on, you have to at least agree that this is a dream come true to some.

I can tell you now that this does not dry out your hands after using, nor it has that pungent alcohol sting that makes you wonder what they put inside. Made in Australia (woot), squeaky is made using sustainable and natural products found here. I am amazed that milk now has a new use: antibacterial agent.

This is not a real review as I cannot tell you if it is truly 99% effective in bacterial removal, the only way is to perform a lab test, which I do not own. I am enthusiastic about this, because this is something that a lot of people use, and those with sensitive skin should think about trying this, maybe a natural alternative might be good.

But I am psyched, nonetheless about this, because the antibacterial hand gel market is huge, and I do have a kid who still has no concept of hygiene. Maybe one day I’ll tell a dramatic tale about brush with gastro bug.

First ImpressionsAuthor: Charlie LovettGenre: Mystery, romance, history, books ISBN-13: 978-0143127727 Cover and link from Amazon Synopsis from Amazon: Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of A Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice—and ultimately threaten Sophie’s life.

I maybe not be a Janeite, but it is hard to ignore a novel with Jane Austen featuring in it. First Impressions is a novel that flips between Jane Austen and Sophie Collingwood, weaving both fates together into a mystery featuring a bibliophile. The book tells about the value of books, not only in terms of monetary but the sentimental value of things.

For Jane Austen, her passion to write has been fueled by Richard Mansfield, it was him who had encouraged her to finish her stories in writing. Going between two women in separate eras, I could see that the author likes Jane Austen, but did not research the era enough that the manner of speech seemed more modern than it should be. I am just nitpicking, it is easier for me to read modern conversations.

same cover from library

Sophie was asked to find a very rare second edition of A Little Book of Allegories, she stumbles across a secret that could affect her favorite author. The mystery deepens when there is competition, and her love life suddenly improves with the arrival of two dashing men.

As Sophie digs deeper, she realizes that that book might be the end of her. Who is the villain in this story? Possibly everyone! I had my suspicions, but the author had made it hard to guess until the very end with the great reveal.

While the story has a happy ending, I had almost believed the story to be real. It was a disappointment of sorts when I realized that Richard Mansfield was a made up character the author dreamed up after Mansfield Park.

I am devastated, but at the same time impressed with the story telling. Sophie was a strong character I could easily relate to, but others seemed a little flat. Overall the book was entertaining and I had enjoyed reading it. The mystery was good and fun if you are looking for one.

Borrowed this from the library because the synopsis was interestingly intriguing. The heroine, let’s call her Jane woke up with amnesia in a hospital. She was met with a pair of siblings, and they claimed that she and the brother (let’s call him James) are lovers. and that they were ecstatic to see her awake and recovering.

If you think that this is your run in the mill amnesia love story where the girl tries to recall her past and it turns sinister. It’s not.

Sorry to disappoint.

It is not sinister, the story revolves around James’ deception, but what is the motive?

As you go along the story, you would realize that the love might be real, and then you wonder if it would stand the test of reality? Is Jane really that gullible as to believe every word James said?

The book is quite romantic, and a little bittersweet as the motive behind this who shenanigans was because of realities of rich people’s kids. Sometimes love does come in funny places, but for James, he had to fight for it.

Why Should You Choose Dermaroller to Treat Your Skin?

The temptation to try everything you can think of to fix your skin problems can be pretty strong. Nobody likes living with skin sags and wrinkles. The only problem is that you can actually do more harm than good by bombarding your skin with so-called miracle cures. Instead, you need to take a more logical approach and look into each treatment carefully. One of those treatments is Dermaroller, also commonly know as micro-needling, but what is the advantage of choosing it?

How Most Skincare Treatments Work

Before you can understand why some people choose Dermaroller, you need to know how most skincare treatments work. They really fall in three categories. There are those that put healthy materials into your skin, such as creams that contain antioxidants and retinoids. There are also those that encourage your body to make more of its own natural skin protectors, such as collagen and elastin. Many types of medical lasers fall into that category. They help kick the protective processes in your body into overdrive. Finally, there are those that try to correct skin problems cosmetically by resurfacing or surgically altering the skin, like facelift surgery and microdermabrasion. They remove imperfections or surgically correct sags. Although those can be good options, they shouldn’t necessarily be first choices. There are often less invasive procedures that can be just as helpful.

How Dermaroller Therapy Can Benefit the Skin

Dermaroller falls into the second category mentioned above in that it can convince your body to make more healthy materials and transport those materials to your skin cells. The device itself is usually small and hand-held. It has little needles attached to it. The needles can vary in length, but they are very small, not like the hypodermic needles you would normally think of. Lots of them are attached to the device. That way, when it rolls over your skin, they will puncture the skin just a little bit. That little bit is all it takes for your body to want to repair that new damage. In the process, it will also repair some of the damage that was there before you had the treatment.

Can Dermaroller Help More Than Other Treatments?

It’s not really a question of whether or not Dermaroller is more helpful than other treatments across the board. It’s more to do with what is best for each individual person. You see, your skin color, how thick it is, and how bad your skin problems are can all have an impact on each treatment type. If your skin is oily, things like treating your skin with medical lasers may not be a good idea because they could heat up the oils and leave blisters on your skin. On the other hand, there are plenty of people who could easily benefit from laser procedures for healthier skin. There are also a lot of other skincare treatments available besides just Dermaroller and lasers. That’s why it’s so important to look into all of the available methods before you settle on one specific option.

Disclaimer

This post is a paid post, and I would like to say that, even though you can buy dermarollers off Ebay, they cannot be compared against the dermaroller being used by a professional because they are trained to use the dermaroller while most of us are not. Peace out.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (A Song of Ice and Fire)Author: George R. R. Martin, Ilustrator: Gary Gianni Series: A Song of Ice and FirePublisher: Bantam; 1st edition ISBN-13: 978-0345533487Genre: Action/ AdventureCover and Link from AmazonSynopsis from Amazon: Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne, there was Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve but ultimately courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals—in stature if not experience. Tagging along is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg—whose true name is hidden from all he and Dunk encounter. Though more improbable heroes may not be found in all of Westeros, great destinies lay ahead for these two . . . as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits.

I have trouble understanding why I get this book: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and not the last installment for the Game of Thrones series. I mean, if he has time to write this, why not complete the main one first. It gets to me every time I mention this book.

But Dunk is a great character to follow, and Egg, the boy who followed him, is one that is understated in this adventure. Egg might be young, he is mature and knows many things that Dunk does not. The unlikely duo sets off all over Westeros in search of action and a lesson in life.

Ser Duncan the Tall might not be a true knight, but who really cares as long as he is doing the job right to me. Their exploits are fraught with danger, their banter full of information and lessons. This story is a decade or so before the crazy Dragon King, and the Targaryen family still sits on the Iron Throne.

For fans of Game of Thrones, this is not a welcome break. I want to read that series and be done with it, and not suffer small side stories that act like a filler for the bigger one.

It was a cold winter’s day when I got this, I was a bit excited because that meant that Prince Brat gets another thing to try for his dry and itchy hands. He does have eczema on the hands, luckily just there, so while I am grateful, it also looks bad enough to cause concern.

there was only a problem

I had to get the ointment out from the tube first, it took some warming up between my palms and a lot of squeezing before the ointment slowly inch its way out. Fortunately, the tube was strong and it held (read did not explode) while I try to pry out the contents.

It smells of lavender, even though it is the last on the list, the smell was still a nice reminder that this does not have synthetic fragrances. Being of an ointment base, no preservatives as well. Although I would have liked the two ingredients to be from a more natural source, but the brat did not react badly to it.

It does work on him, for a while. By that I mean a few hours until I have to reapply or he would start scratching away and drive me nuts. This was during winter, where cold air can irritate the skin, and drying it out even more. I think the ointment helped with his dry issue, therefore elevated the itching issue.

For those who are on a lookout for products are a safe on kids, this is formulated with children in mind. Happy to report that they do not test on animals and is made in Australia from Australian goats. Firm supporters of Australian made products should be happy about this brand.

Beyond the GardensAuthor: Sandra C. Lopez Publisher: Outskirts Press Genre: Contemporary, young adult ISBN-13: 978-1432746988 Cover and Link from AmazonSynopsis from Amazon: She was a shy artist, who was afraid to blossom into the beautiful flower she was meant to grow into. At the age of 18, Esperanza Ignacio begins her college years at an upscale Los Angeles art school, where she studies to fulfill her long-term dream in Animation. But she soon learns the truth to the old folktale: “you can take the girl out of the barrio, but you can’t take the barrio out of the girl.” Even though she’s getting financial aid, Esperanza works a part-time job during her break from classes just to make ends meet. Her roommate, Anna, is what she calls a “chicana from Beverly Hills” because of the rich daddy and the new car she got for her quinceañera. Things get a little confusing for Esperanza when an old friend comes looking for her, hoping to start a meaningful relationship. But is Carlos the right guy for her? She never even considered him to be anything more than a friend since high school. Then comes Jake, a gorgeous mechanic, who shares her passion for books and loves her for who she is. What’s a girl to do?

CHAPTER REVEAL

Chapter 1

As the evening sun was settling over the small hills, I steadily hiked along the concrete path that led into the center of the campus quad. I hung to the strap of my book bag with a light wind sweeping through the air, then walked past the student store and the food court. The garlic aroma of chicken chimichangas was overwhelming and floated around seamlessly. My god, did it smell good. I almost wished I had five bucks to waste. Instead, I ignored the aching grumble in my stomach and moved on.

The dorms were located on the outskirts of the school next to a highway that was often busy at this time of day. When I reached Da Vinci Hall, I passed along a few students bundled in a corner with large pads sketching the scattered trees on the forefront of the breaking dawn. I had missed the elevator going up just as the doors were closing. Damn.

Exasperated, I punched in the button for the next one. But the wait was so long I decided to just forget it and took the stairs instead.

Crossing down the hallway, I fumbled inside the withered pocket of my jacket for the keys. I unlocked the door and then stepped into a tiny cubicle, where I hit my knee passing by the end table. At that point, I couldn’t decide whether the furniture was moving closer or the room was just shrinking.

I limped across the room and dropped my bag on a nearby chair. Then I took off my cap and tossed it aside. Oh, what a day, I thought while my fingers stroked through the thick strands of my dark hair. I couldn’t believe I stayed up half the night to study for a quiz the teacher decided not to have after all. What a shame. I was really looking forward to it, too.

After spotting my bed just a few feet away, I fell on top of it landing on a soft pillow that cradled my head.Humble sighs trickled through as the evening sun cast a mild afterglow through the shiny window, shadowing the room with a tinted orange. I yawned while the soothing warmth poured across my tanned face. Then I closed my eyes as a tranquil slumber soon began to take its course.

“Jesus Christ!” I yelled, responding to the triumphant arrival of my roommate, Anna.

She looked at me with cavalier naïveté. “Oh, were you sleeping?”

“No, I wasn’t,” I answered. “I was just trying to, that’s all.”

“Well, as long as you weren’t sleeping.” Casually humming, she sauntered back into the hall and returned with several large shopping bags. Most of them looked like they weighed more than she did.

“Been to the mall, lately?” I asked.

“Just for the last half hour.”

“And that’s all you got?”

“Well, I couldn’t really get much because I had to come

back for a class.”

“Oh, of course.”

I watched as Anna closed the door behind her so she could peek at the mirror nailed in the back. She twirled around a few times, checking out all the angles of herself. Then she fluffed her short, reddish-brown hair, which was decorated with bright, silver streaks. Under closer inspection, she turned from side to side and caressed the light, delicate skin on her face. She checked out everything from the straight arches in her eye brows to the rich, glossy color of her lips. Oh, brother, I thought as I reclined back into position.

There was just no doubt about it. Anna Zapata was the “Chicana from Beverly Hills.” She, technically, came from Orange County, but she was possessed by someone in Beverly Hills. Note: Anytime you see the word “hills” in a city name, you just know it’s a fancy, ritzy area packed with people, who just have too much money. For example, Anaheim Hills, Woodland Hills, Chino Hills, Beverly Hills.

Need I say more?

“Do you think I need to add another streak?” Anna asked suddenly.

“Another streak?”

“Yeah, right here near my bangs.”

“Well, I don’t know,” I answered. “I think you wouldn’t look any different.”

“Would you get up and look,” she insisted.

“Why, I can remember what you look like.”

“Will you just look.”

“Okay, fine,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

With a discouraging grunt, I hoisted myself up and leaned on the tips of my elbows. I cocked my head in her direction, straining to give her a glance. My face crinkled in confusion as I attempted to drum up an opinion.

“Well?” she persisted.

“Well, uh—”

“Be honest.”

“Honestly……you’d look the same.”

“Oh, no I wouldn’t.”

“Yes, you would.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Yes, you would.”

“Oh, what do you know?”

I collapsed back on the bed with a loud murmur under my breath.

“Can’t you see that one streak will add balance to my bone structure?”

“No, I clearly don’t see that,” I said.

“Obviously.” She looked back at the mirror. “Maybe I should just start all over with a brand new color. What do you think about that?”

“Why don’t you just go back with the color God gave you?” I asked.

“Well, that kinda presents a problem,” she said. “See, I sorta forgot my original hair color.”

“Are you serious?”

“Nope, I’ve been dyeing my hair for years, and it just sorta slipped my mind.”

“Well, why don’t you ask your mom then?”

“Are you kidding?” she responded. “Who do you think taught me how to dye my hair? My mother couldn’t find her own roots if she was digging for gold.”

“Okay, point well taken,” I mentioned. At least now I knew where her obsession with hair started from.

“Ya know, I think I will add that extra streak,” she said.

“Whatever you say.”

“And while I’m at the salon, I’ll get a manicure, pedicure, and a facial,” she added. “I’ll just beautify all this even more.”

“I resent that,” she said. “I would stay and fight you on that, but I gotta go get my facial, manicure, and pedicure.”

“So, back to the mall you go?”

“That’s right,” she said. “Oh, and while I’m there, I might as well get that cashmere blouse I was thinking about buying but didn’t. See ya.”

With giddy excitement, Anna glided out of the room.

Finally! Now where was I? Oh, yeah, I was trying to relax.

I lied there and closed my eyes, gradually reacquainting myself with the peaceful and quiet sounds around me. At some point, I actually wondered whether or not I went deaf. But I didn’t. There was absolutely no noise. Wow, this was nothing like home back in the barrio, I thought.

Back home I had the raucous sounds of police helicopters flying overhead to lull me to sleep. But not here.Sounds of the barrio didn’t exist. I haven’t heard screeching tires against the harsh gravel of the streets, or the sounds of drunken cholos clashing with shattered beer bottles. Up until now I figured I’d be stuck with those noises for the rest of my life. It was amazing. I mean, I’ve heard about lawns being greener on the other side of the fence; but it’s another thing to actually sink your feet into that beautiful grass and wiggle your toes in it. Could I really have done it? I wondered. Could I have gotten myself away from the other side and made it all the way here—at the Atkins Art Institute, the place I’ve been working so hard to get to ever since I saw Bugs Bunny as a kid? Could this be a dream? Yes, it was a dream—it was a dream come true!

After conquering the world of high school as a kid and cherishing the last few moments of summer with the people who meant the most to me, I can now say that I had finally made it. I did it! I was here, standing in the middle of a whole new adventure, ready to begin the grand odyssey of college life, ready to discover the answer to the question that’s been nagging me for years: What’s beyond The Gardens?

Ever since I was born in the small town of Hawaiian Gardens—a California barrio that a lot of the locals referred to as The Gardens— my life always had barbed wire around it, and I just couldn’t get through. I was caged like a raggedy, flea-infested dog, always snuggled in a dirty corner while surrounded by the foul stench of that filthy pound. I would look at the world through steel bars, wondering what it would be like to be on the other side.

Was there some other life beyond those gates? Was there something better over that fence? I never knew; I’ve always just wondered. And I kept on wondering even when we moved to East L.A., where I was only transferred from a smaller cage to a bigger one—my curiosities still the same though. I knew I was going to die if I stayed right where I was. I knew it was never going to get any better unless I got out. Well, now, I was a dog that had gone free. I finally escaped my cell. I have passed the gates of limitations, running every step of the way, ready to discover what I have been missing all my life. I was now going to see this new world through fascinated eyes and finally mark my territory wherever I go. What changes await me? What will I find? Who will I meet? How will the next chapters of my life going to end this time? Or were they going to end at all? Maybe my ending will turn out to be a brand new beginning. I couldn’t wait to find out!

To read the full story of Beyond the Gardens by Sandra Lopez, copies are available here:

The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn NovelAuthor: Brandon Sanderson Series: Mistborn (Book 4) Publisher: Tor Fantasy ISBN-13: 978-076536854 Genre: Fantasy, action, adventure Cover and Link from Amazon Synopsis from Amazon: In the three hundred years since the events of the Mistborn trilogy, science and technology have marched on. Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads, electric lighting, and even the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Yet even with these advances, the magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for those attempting to establish order and justice.

One is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax must now put away his guns and assume the duties incumbent upon the head of a noble house―until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

My copy from library

I prefer my copy from the library, mainly because of the disappointment in seeing the illustrated Waxillium Ladrian, the book cover does not do him justice, maybe it’s the lack of the smirk on his face. But Wayne is spot on with his favorite hat, the library copy shows a train, the main character of this story.

Set 300 years after Harmony (namely Sazed in the old stories) set things right on the place, Elendel is a bustling place on verge of modernization. They have electricity and trains, but the fundamentals still the same, the ruling houses are rich and powerful while everyone else are normal. There are still allomancers, or Twinborns like Wax, who have Feruchemistry as well as allomancy in his blood.

For twenty years, Wax worked as a cop in the Roughs, the wild west of Elendel. He had to return to inherit his uncle’s title as Lord Ladrian. To do that he has to restore Ladrian House financially as well as its standing in the social circle. Topping that off is a series of robberies that had escalated to kidnapping.

Enter two females, Steris Harms and her cousin Marasi Colms. Both females have different personalities. Steris is blunt but honest while Marasi has an inquisitive mind and courage not unlike Vin, who is now the Ascendant Warrior. Three hundred years on, nothing seems to change underneath the modernization.

When Marasi and Steris were taken during a heist, Wax had promised to return them safely, thus began the story and adventure. The mystery surrounding vanishing stocks and the group dubbed The Vanishers, who is the mastermind, so on.

I should know by now that nothing is straightforward with Brandon Sanderson, one mystery solved would lead to another question being asked. Some might find this a little boring compared to Vin and Elend’s adventures, but I think it is a suitable beginning to Wax and Wayne.